Converging Dialogues

In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Kenneth Harl about the various nomadic empires of the steppes. They discuss the origins of nomadic peoples, Tocharian texts, and why language is essential for understanding nomadic peoples. They talk about the Turkish language, nomadic spread over 35 centuries, the Steppe, and nomadic identity. They discuss the Scythians, impact of China, Kublai Khan, Uyghurs, administrative might of the Mongols, Orkhon valley and Mongolia, legacy of the Nomadic peoples, and many more topics. Kenneth Harl is Professor Emeritus of Classical and Byzantine history at Tulane University. He has his Bachelors in history from Trinity College, Masters in history from Yale University, and PhD in history from Yale University. He specializes in ancient history, specifically in classical Anatolia and on Imperial Roman Coinage. He is the author of many books including, Empires of the Steppes: A History of the Nomadic Tribes Who Shaped Civilization. Get full access to Converging Dialogues at convergingdialogues.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Alexandre Lefebvre about the many facets of liberalism. They discuss morals and values from liberalism, Christianity’s impact on liberalism and Western society, defining liberalism, and the differences between liberalism and conservatism. They also talk about the philosophy of Rawls, swearing, fairness, spiritual exercises, public dialogue, liberalism as a way of life, and many more topics. Alexandre Lefebvre is Professor of Politics and Philosophy at The University of Sydney. He has his PhD from Johns Hopkins University and his teaching and his research are in political theory, the history of political thought, modern and contemporary French philosophy, and human rights. He is the author of the latest book, Liberalism As A Way Of Life. Website: https://www.alexlefebvre.com/ Get full access to Converging Dialogues at convergingdialogues.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a conversation with Michael Cook about the history of the Muslim world. They discuss Islamic civilization from origins to modernity, early antecedents before Islam, genesis of Islam, and the Prophet Muhammad and his creation of a monotheistic religion and state. They discuss succession after the death of Muhammad and the caliphate, the Umayyid dynasty, the Abbasid dynasty, and how important Islam and the Arabic language were for an Islamic civilization. They talk about the origin of the Turks, Bilga Qaghan, Turks being pagan and interacting with Islam, and the three ways the Turks spread out of the Steppe. They discuss the Mongols and their relationship with Islam, the Seljuk dynasty, the Safawid dynasty and the impact of Shiism. They also talk about the Ottoman Empire and their administration and integration of other cultures. They discuss the spread of Islam into India by conquest and merchants, Islam in Southeast Asia and around the Indian Ocean, Sahara and central Africa, and conflict between Christians and Muslims in Ethiopia. They also discuss Arab identity, Islam’s spread through conquest, Islam juxtaposed with other religions and cultures, Islam in the modern period, future of Islam, and many other topics. Michael Cook is the Class of 1943 University Professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University. He was educated at Cambridge studying English and European history and learned Turkish and Persian. He was also educated at the School of Oriental and African Studies in the University of London, emphasizing research into Ottoman population history in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. He spent many years teaching and researching Islamic history at the School of Oriental and African Studies. He is the author of numerous books, including the most recent book, A History of the Muslim World: From its Origins to the Dawn of Modernity. Get full access to Converging Dialogues at convergingdialogues.substack.com/subscribe

In this dialogue, science writer Tom Chivers explores Bayesian probability and its profound impact on decision-making. He delves into Bayesian priors and their role in shaping beliefs, particularly in health contexts. The conversation highlights the replication crisis in research, critiquing traditional statistical methods while advocating for Bayesian approaches. They also tackle AI's implications through Bayesian principles, discussing prediction complexities and ethical concerns. Chivers shares insights on the challenges posed by cancel culture, emphasizing the need for thoughtful discourse.

In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Thomas Cech about RNA as a major catalyst in organic systems. They discuss why RNA does not get discussed as much as DNA, basics of DNA, RNA as a catalyst, and the splicing capabilities of RNA. They also talk about transcription, translation, and splicing, RNA as internal catalyst and external catalyst, and the origins of life. They talk about telomeres and extended life, different types of RNA, mRNA vaccines, CRISPR, and many more topics. Thomas Cech is distinguished professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Colorado-Boulder. He has been an Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) since 1988 and was President of HHMI in 2000-2009. He has his PhD from the University of California-Berkeley and completed his postdoctorate at MIT. His main interests are in RNA and telomeres. He received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (with Sidney Altman) in 1989 and the National Medal of Science in 1995. He is the author of the latest book, The Catalyst: RNA and the Quest to Unlock Life’s Deepest Secrets. Get full access to Converging Dialogues at convergingdialogues.substack.com/subscribe

Wendy Pearlman discusses Syrian diaspora stories, protests, conflict, concept of home, and cultural preservation. They explore leaving Syria, the future of the diaspora, and rebuilding elsewhere. She highlights the resilience and challenges faced by Syrians in different cultural contexts.

Eugene Rogan, an expert on Middle Eastern history, discusses the 1860 Damascus massacre with Xavier Bonilla. They cover Egypt-Ottoman relations, Tanzimat reforms, Druze-Marinite tensions, and al-Qadir's heroic acts. They also explore the aftermath, the concept of genocide, and the impact on the modern Middle East.

Legal scholar Maxwell Stearns discusses potential constitutional reforms, third-party impact, positive vs. negative rights, gerrymandering, Germany's electoral system, and challenges with ranked choice voting in a dialogue with Xavier Bonilla.

Aziz Rana discusses failures of the US Constitution across various eras, the positive aspects of the Constitution, empire settlerism, Socialist Party of America, WWI, the New Deal, justices' authority, originalism, Black Panther movement, and the future of the Constitution.

Lynn Tesser, Associate Professor of International Relations, discusses moving from empire to nation states, rebellions in the Americas, Greek revolution by elites, post-Ottoman Balkans and Anatolia, and empire today. They talk about nationalism, state formation, and great power politics amidst diverse regions and ethnic dynamics.